Cleaning the leather in your car can be a tricky task depending on how much leather there is, as well as the condition of it. As is always the case in car detailing, the gentlest cleaning method should always be tried first.
Even if the leather looks clean, if it’s shiny then it means it has to be cleaned, and with a dedicated cleaner.
With that in mind, below are several leather cleaners that I have used on various cars, in various different conditions.
Autoglym Leather Clean & Protect Kit
This is a two stage kit brought to you by the excellent team at Autoglym. In this kit you will get Autoglym Leather Cleaner, Autoglym Leather Care Balm, a Perfect Polish Applicator and also a Hi-Tech Aqua Dry.
The leather cleaner does an amazing job at giving the leather a deep clean. It only takes a few sprays and very gentle agitation with a microfibre cloth to remove even the most stubborn of dirt. With the include aqua dry cloth, it does an amazing job at removing all of the residue left after the clean, giving a flawless finish to the seats.
I would personally always follow up with a leather protectant such as Leather Care Balm. The included Perfect Polish Applicator makes it really easy to apply to even the most intricate and tightest of spots.
When both are used in tandem with each other, you can be left feeling happy knowing that not only are the seats exceptionally clean, but also protected.
- This ultimate car cleaning kit contains everything you need to clean and protect car leather surfaces
Last update on 2023-09-25 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Leather Honey Leather Cleaner
Leather Honey have been around for quite a long time, and when you see how well their product works, it’s easy to see why this is the case.
It is a very easy cleaner to apply to your leather. All you need is a small amount of the product on a microfibre cloth and use this to gently massage the leather. After that, a second, clean microfibre is used to remove any excess residue (and any remaining dirt).
What I really like about Leather Honey is how well it works with very little work involved. Another plus point for this is that it can also be used on various forms of leather, including sofas and trainers. I had discussed this with a friend of mine, and she’s used it before to clean her leather jacket.
I used this on cream car seats that had seen better days and the difference was night and day. It did take a few passes due to how neglected the seats were, but after that, they looked as good as new. Bearing in mind that these seats hadn’t been cleaned for over 2 years (apart from a damp microfibre every 6 months), you can imagine the level of grime that was on it. It also did an excellent job on the steering wheel, too.
It’s a bit pricier compared to the Autoglym Leather Cleaner, but it’s also safe to use on a variety of leather products, so it’s a good trade off.
- NON-TOXIC, READY-TO-USE LEATHER CLEANER: This premixed version of our popular leather cleaner is the same non-toxic, natural product in a convenient, ready-to-use formula. Ideal for all your leather goods, plus vinyl, faux leather, plastic and rubber, our proven formula is powerful, odorless, and chemical-free.
Last update on 2023-09-25 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Turtle Wax Power Out Leather Cleaner
My final pick on the list is from the Turtle Wax team. It’s different from the other two cleaners on this list in that it’s a foam cleaner instead, not unlike shaving cream.
With Power Out Leather Cleaner, I found the clean on it to be really good for mild stains on the leather work. What I thought was interesting about it is that on the can of it, there’s a soft bristle brush as well. This allows you to spray the product on, and then agitate it pretty much right away with the brush. It’s a nice system, and the brush did clean the stains up well.
After that, it was just the case of wiping up the excess with a microfibre cloth.
What I did notice though is that for deeper and older stains, it didn’t perform as well as the Autoglym or Leather Honey. However, this product is also a lot cheaper than those two, so it can’t be criticised for that.
It also cleaned the steering wheel exceptionally well, although it was a bit tricky applying the foam and then using the brush around it. The system has been used the brush in mind.
If you’re on a tight budget but still want a great clean on the leather, the Turtle Wax is a sound option.
- Revitalizing foam infused with natural conditioners restores leather to the softest feel and adds moisture. Gently cleans dirt and stains while restoring a natural shine.
Last update on 2023-09-25 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.